Scientists claim breakthrough on first vaccine against dengue

NEW DELHI: The world's first effective vaccine against dengue could be available by 2015.

Scientists on Tuesday announced a major dengue vaccine breakthrough, with a candidate vaccine showing a 60 per cent - 90 per cent protection rate against three virus strains (DENV 1, 3 and 4) that causes the mosquito-borne disease.

The vaccine CYD-TDV was also found to be safe and well-tolerated, with no side-effects on those who received it. No vaccine is now available to protect against dengue, and efforts to develop one have been hampered by the fact that dengue is caused by four viruses —DENV 1, 2, 3 and 4.